May 2024 Newsletter

Historic Preservation Month

Dear Neighbor,

Every year in May, local preservation groups, municipalities, state historical societies, and business and civic organizations across the country celebrate National Historic Preservation Month.  It’s a time to acknowledge preservation successes and how those successes encourage economic vitality, drive heritage and cultural tourism, protect our unique communities, promote diversity and foster a sense of place.

The City of Fort Lauderdale has been a Certified Local Government (CLG) since 2010 and maintains a commitment to protect its historic resources and provide continuous improvement to historic preservation efforts. Since becoming a CLG, the City of Fort Lauderdale has received several grants, with no match required, that are made available to CLGs including funds to create the City’s Historic Preservation Design Guidelines, conduct several Architectural Resource Surveys, and to prepare a Strategic Historic Preservation Plan.

The City of Fort Lauderdale's Strategic Historic Preservation Plan was adopted by the City Commission on December 19, 2023. Preparation of the plan was identified as the first goal of the City’s Comprehensive Plan under initiatives outlined in the Historic Preservation Element. Within the Comprehensive Plan, it states that “the City shall prepare and adopt a long-term approach to historic preservation which identifies and evaluates the City’s historic resources." Funding was obtained from the Florida Department of State’s Division of Historical Resources to support this effort and hire our consultant, the Craig Group LLC.  

On March 14, 2024, the City of Fort Lauderdale issued its Strategic Historic Preservation Plan 2023 Progress Report which was developed to track efforts pertaining to the Strategic Historic Preservation Plan outlining action items that have been completed in 2023.

Included in the Strategic Historic Preservation Plan there are four Goals, eleven Objectives, and thirty-nine action items. As part of the progress report, updates are provided for twelve of the action items to highlight work that has been completed. Additionally, a status of the remaining action items is provided including five that are in progress, five that are ongoing, three that are planned to begin in 2024, and fourteen that have not yet started. This report is very informative and incorporated a substantial amount of community input.  I encourage you to review the goals and objectives that our city is dedicated to fostering. The Strategic Historic Preservation Plan in its entirety may be found here: https://www.fortlauderdale.gov/government/departments-a-h/development-services/urban-design-and-planning/initiatives.

I am so proud that Fort Lauderdale has such a rich history that can be shared with so many today and in the future. Initiatives like the Strategic Historic Preservation Plan help us to identify where we need to currently focus our efforts in order to secure that our past remains present and accessible for future generations.

Having spent many years serving on the Broward County Historical Commission and the Broward Trust for Historic Preservation (founding member), I feel passionate about historic preservation and understand the importance of preserving physical manifestations of our history for generations to come.

Tomorrow!

Traffic Advisory

Las Olas Boulevard between A1A and Seabreeze Boulevard will be closed from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, May 25. 

• Northbound A1A traffic may access turnarounds at Poinsettia and Cortez Streets.
• Southbound A1A traffic may access turnaround at 600 Seabreeze Boulevard.
• Las Olas Circle is closed north of the Las Olas Garage as well as the southbound lane of Birch Road between Poinsettia and Cortez Streets. 
• Anyone traveling south on Birch Road towards the Garage must detour to Seabreeze Boulevard at Cortez Street in order to head south.

Motorists should expect heavy traffic and are encouraged to avoid the area and seek alternate travel routes or transportation.

For more information, please visit parks.fortlauderdale.gov/gabp.      

This week is National Hurricane Preparedness Week, and as we approach Hurricane Season, it is the perfect time to get ready.

In the City of Fort Lauderdale, readiness is key for all of us.

Here are three essential steps to start your preparations:

• Make a plan: Develop an evacuation strategy so you and your loved ones know what to do before, during, and after a hurricane. Communication is key – share your plan with family and friends.
• Build a kit: Assemble an emergency kit with essentials like food, water, batteries, flashlight, medications, and cash. Remember, one gallon of water per person per day is a good rule of thumb.
• Stay informed: Understand the risks of hurricanes and ensure your insurance policies are up to date.



Sign up for emergency alerts from the City at http://fortlauderdale.gov/alertftl.

Preparation saves lives and property. For more tips, check out our

Quick Tips Guide: https://www.fortlauderdale.gov/.../66945/637864775590900000

Las Olas Isles Utility Undergrounding Project Updates

Post Date: May 17, 2024 4:00 PM

Recently Completed Activities

The following work has taken place over the past few days: 

• Ferreira has converted all residences on all streets to underground power.
• AT&T has converted all residences on all streets except Coconut Isle Drive.

Ongoing Work by Utility Companies

Utility companies are also making progress:

• Comcast has completed the pre-wiring on all streets and has commenced individual residence conversions. Comcast is progressing much slower than scheduled as they are converting all residences to fiber optic, which requires scheduling in-home appointments with every resident to install new modems.
• AT&T has almost completed residence hookups.
• FPL has to wait until Comcast cables are removed from the wood poles before the poles can be removed. This can’t be done until all residences are converted off the existing overhead cables.

Upcoming Activities (Through 5/31/24)

The following work is scheduled to take place over the next few days:

• Ferreira will be completing restoration work on all streets.
• Comcast will complete all conversions by Monday, June 3.

Upcoming Activities 

The following activities remain to be completed as part of this project.

• Residential connections to new Comcast and ATT lines
• Restoration of landscaping and pavers
• Removal of overhead lines and poles
• Installation of 77 new streetlights
• Roadway resurfacing - Resurfacing is not expected to be completed by the end of April 2024. An update will be provided once this work is scheduled.
• Replace all sidewalks along the south side of Las Olas Boulevard from Coconut Isle Drive to Isle of Palms Drive.

Project Overview

• Construction Schedule: Just days after the City Commission approved the ordinance establishing the process for communities seeking undergrounding on May 18, 2010, Las Olas Isles neighbors applied and began efforts to make this project a reality. A groundbreaking ceremony was celebrated on June 14, 2022, officially marking the start of construction. Mayor Dean J. Trantalis and District 2 Commissioner Steve Glassman spoke at the event and have been closely monitoring the project's progress since then. "Many thanks to the residents for their patience these past twelve years. Getting this project started has been a priority of mine since being elected in 2018," said Commissioner Glassman. The construction schedule has been extended due to unforeseen circumstances including inclement weather, additional work, and revisions to the original contract. Substantial completion is now expected in May 2024 and final restoration is expected to be completed by the end of June 2024 with the exception of street repaving. An update will be provided once this work is scheduled.
• Contractor & Sub-Contractors: Ferreira, International Drilling, Inc. (IDD), Voss Engineering, OY Underground, and Best Underground.
• Construction Method: Utility conduits were installed using horizontal directional drilling. This trenchless method is more efficient than traditional open-cut construction and resulted in less disruption to roads and traffic. Construction has been done primarily from west to east, but some operations may vary due to unforeseen conflicts or tidal impacts.

Traffic Impacts

• A single lane along each isle may be closed during work hours. Traffic control personnel will assist motorists as needed. Please follow posted signs and drive with caution in the area.
• There may be times when equipment or materials temporarily block access to driveways during work hours. Crews in the field will coordinate with neighbors during these situations.
• Driveway and roadway access will be restored at the end of each work shift.

We apologize in advance for any inconvenience and thank our neighbors for their continued patience as we work to complete this project as quickly as possible.

For more information or questions, contact:

Gary Foster, Senior Project Manager

954-828-6233 or gfoster@fortlauderdale.gov

City of Fort Lauderdale Neighbor Service Center

954-828-8000 or lauderserv@fortlauderdale.gov

#FortLauderdale is the city you never want to leave, but not because you’re stuck in traffic! Our beautiful beaches, unique neighborhoods, and welcoming vibe make the city a natural draw for events both big and small – and we want to help you get there.

Email alerts: sign up for citywide information at ftlcity.info/trafficalert

Alert FTL: notifications based on where you live & work at ftlcity.info/alertftl

City website: a hub of info at fortlauderdale.gov/news

Get social: traffic updates at your fingertips at ftlcity.info/connect

You Must Re-Apply to Vote by Mail

Due to a change in state law, Florida Voters who wish to receive a Vote-by-Mail ballot for 2023 through 2024 elections are required to complete a new Vote-by-Mail ballot request.

In 2021, Florida legislators passed a new law that changed the basic rule for mail-in ballots. Previously, a Florida voter's request for a mail-in ballot would be good for two general election cycles, meaning a new request would not be needed for four years. The new law reduces that duration to once per general election cycle, or every two years. As a result, every vote-by-mail request expired at the end of 2022. 

To renew your Vote-by-Mail request, in Broward, click on this link: Mail Ballot Request Service.

For additional information, click here to visit the State of Florida Division of Elections Vote by Mail information page.

Are you subscribed to #AlertFTL yet?  Stay connected with us during an emergency- we send out notifications to keep you in the know.

Visit  fortlauderdale.gov/alertftl to sign up today.

We have the following Board Vacancies below.

Please email Erica Franceschi EFranceschi@fortlauderdale.gov if you are interested in serving on a Fort Lauderdale City Board.  



Board of Adjustment

Cemetery System Board of Trustees

Central City Redevelopment Advisory Board

Code Enforcement Board

Community Appearance Board

Community Services Board 

Nuisance Abatement Board

Articles

The greatness of our community starts with passionate citizens like you. 

Please do not hesitate to contact our Outreach Coordinator, Ashley Cacicedo, with any questions, comments or thoughtful suggestions acacicedo@fortlauderdale.gov or 954-828-5923.